ブックタイトルRecommendations to prepare for future mega-disasters in Japan

概要

Recommendations to prepare for future mega-disasters in Japan

(2) Application of existing international norms and standards to Japan, and relevant issuesfrom a perspective of international humanitarian assistanceOne of the lessons learnt from the GEJE is that various assistance methods and coordinationmechanisms established as international standards were not necessarily utilised, or that Japanhad no grounding in practicing such standards. From this perspective, the study groupmembers acknowledged the need for further study on the following issues:・Types of assistance to help alleviate suffering of the affected populations・Applying norms and standards of humanitarian assistance such as the Sphere standardsand consideration of gender aspects・Methods to assist affected populations, particularly management of emergency-evacuationCentres・Constraints caused by applying legal and institutional framework assuming peacetime toemergency situations, and the need of more flexibility in applying administrative rulesduring emergency relief and early recovery phases・Coordination mechanisms among aid providers・Strengthening coordination mechanisms like the cluster system, and promotingcollaboration among responders by overcoming their organisational barriers・Needs assessment, communication with affected populations and informationmanagement tools・Civil-Military coordination for humanitarian assistance・Leveraging expertise of NGOs for disaster response in Japan; particularly staff of thoseorganisations experienced with emergency relief and humanitarian assistance overseas,while noting that the present Disaster Management Basic Act has limitations in the sensethat defines that local authorities are the primary responder.・Substantive contributions made by private companies in assisting the affectedpopulations and potential for effective partnerships with them・Using charity funds and cash donations more effectively・Differences in financial assistance among the recipients of charity-funds (i.e. the amountsgranted vary depending on the total amount of funds collected) and differences by typesof disasters (e.g. floods and other low profile disasters as opposed to earthquakes)・Assistance to the affected populations via cash transfers including through charity fundsand donations・Disparities in terms of mobilisation and usage of humanitarian finance across differentphases of a disaster, especially, emergency relief v.s. early recovery.The study group met more than ten times before compiling this report with recommendations.However, although time constraints prevented the group from discussing all the issues initiallysuggested for consideration. The present report and the recommendations reflect personalviews of the members of the study group and should not be attributed to any of theorganisations to which they belong.The recommendations reflect the study group’s account of the GEJE from an internationalperspective, and the present report consists of the following four parts:Part I: How Japan should receive international assistance when a large scalenatural disaster strikes, such as earthquakes predicted along the NankaiTrough or directly beneath the Tokyo Metropolitan AreaPart II: How Japan should apply internationally gained wisdom and good practicesrelated to humanitarian assistance to its domestic disaster response3